Injury and violence related behaviour among school-going adolescents in Jammu region

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONMany adolescents face physical, psychological and social challenges of various kinds. They usually start experimenting with risky health behaviours on certain occasions before intensifying and consolidating it.1 These high-risk behaviours include those which contribute to unintentional injuries, violence, alcohol and other drug use, and tobacco use, sexual behaviours related to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, Unhealthy dietary behaviours and inadequate physical activity. Such behaviours often continue in adulthood and can lead to increased morbidity and mortality.Unintentional injuries are the largest source of premature morbidity and mortality and the leading cause of death among adolescents 10-19 years of age.2 Adolescents tend to be impulsive; vulnerable to peer influences and prone to indulge in health risk behaviours of various kinds. Dissatisfaction with life and bullying by fellow friends ABSTRACT Background: Adolescence is a transition period of rapid growth and development which makes this age group more vulnerable. These vulnerabilities manifest in risk behaviours that predispose them to injuries, violence, suicidal tendencies and sexual abuse in adolescence and in later stages of life. The objective of present study was to assess the health risk behaviour of rural and urban male adolescents concerning injuries, violence and sexuality. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted among 848 school going adolescents (15-19 years) over a period of one year (2014)(2015). Schools were randomly selected using multistage simple random sampling. The youth risk behaviour survey (YRBS) questionnaire was used for data collection. Behaviours regarding driving, carrying weapons, violence, suicidal thoughts and sexual activities were explored. Descriptive statistics was used in form of percentages and proportions. Chi square test was used as a test of significance. Results: Less than half of adolescents surveyed used helmet and seatbelt while 22%reported using mobile phone while driving. Out of total adolescents, 13.7% carried weapons to school while 23.8% damaged or stole other students' property. Adolescents in the urban area were more often threatened or injured with a weapon by someone on school premises as compared to rural counterparts. Nearly half of (47%) urban and 33% of rural ever felt so sad leading to stoppage of usual activities. Only 10.7% adolescents reported having first sexual intercourse out of which nearly one third (38.4%) had not used any method to prevent pregnancy. Conclusions: Adolescents frequently reported high risk behaviour regardless of place of residence and type of school.

Prevalence of Road Risk Behaviors and Associated Factors Among Undergraduate College Students in Delhi: Findings From the Health Risk Behavior Survey

“…Further, the current study found that the prevalence of not wearing a helmet amongst those who rode a two-wheeler vehicle in the past 30 days was 42.6%. This finding is similar to the 40% and 46% reported by Kumar et al [11] (Jammu, 2017) and Abayomi et al [18] (Nigeria, 2015). The current study also depicts that the odds of indulging in road risk behavior were higher among students who drank alcohol, abused substances, and belonged to a rural area than their counterparts.…”

“…Peltzer and Pengpid (2015) [15], in their study conducted amongst University students across 26 countries, also reported the prevalence of drinking and driving as 17.3%. However, the prevalence rates in the current study were higher than those observed by Kumar et al [11] (Jammu, 2017); Nagalingam et al [16] (Chennai, Tamil Nadu; 2016); Cacodcar and Naik [17] (Goa, 2015); as they reported riding with an intoxicated driver to be 14.7%, 12.5%, and 10.7% respectively. This difference can be due to the different study settings; almost half the participants in these studies belonged to rural areas compared to 25% in the present study.…”

“…In a study conducted by Mukhopadhyay [9] (Panipat, Haryana; 2017), 20.76% of undergraduate college students had not worn a seat belt while driving. Similarly, comparable prevalence rates regarding non-seat belt use have also been reported by Bakar et al [10] (Turkey, 2020), Kumar et al [11] (Jammu, 2017), and Ratna et al [12] (Tumkur, Karnataka; 2017). The current study's prevalence was lower than the 52% prevalence rate of non-seat belt use reported by Sharma et al [13] (Delhi, 2008).…”